FIRE crews were called to a derelict thatched cottage on fire in Cooper Shaw Road, West Tilbury

The property measures 30 x 15 metres and crews reported it is well alight. Firefighters used one hose reel to extinguish the fire.

Update 07:03hrs: Fire crews surrounded the fire and used three hose reels to extinguish the blaze. The electricity board has been requested to the incident.

Update: The fire was extinguished by 07:55hrs. The fire is believed to have been started deliberately.